SMU defensive end Margus Hunt was drafted with the 53rd overall pick in the NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

He is the highest drafted SMU player since DB Rod Jones was selected 25th overall in the 1986 draft.

Below is Kate Hairopoulos story on the Great Estonian

The first phase of the Great Estonian Experiment will reach fulfillment this week when SMU defensive end Margus Hunt is selected in the NFL draft.

The statuesque Hunt, 6-8, 277, still has loads to learn about football. Professional teams continue to mull over the best ways to tap the soon-to-be 26-year-old’s freakish athleticism, and his best years are probably ahead.

But for Hunt, who arrived in the U.S. and on the Hilltop in 2007 to develop his talent hurling a two-kilogram discus, this latest career opportunity is still a bit surreal. Remember Hunt had never played football before SMU’s spring season of 2009.

“It’s been a crazy journey,” Hunt said in his now familiar Terminator-like clip. “I never expected or dreamed about doing this in the first place. Now I get to be a part of something that very few people can say they’ve had a chance in their life to be a part of. It’s an incredible blessing.”

Hunt is projected to go late in Thursday’s first round or in Friday’s second round in most mock drafts. He said he has recently interviewed with five NFL teams. He trained with IMG Academy in January and February in Florida before returning to Dallas.

The physical specimen then wowed as expected at the NFL combine, with 38 reps on the bench and a 4.6 40-yard dash.

Because the native of Karksi-Nuia, Estonia, is still raw football wise, there are questions about what position best suits him. He played end in a 3-4 defense at SMU. How will he handle a 4-3? Does his height actually work against him in gaining leverage against NFL tackles? Jets coach Rex Ryan even worked him out as an outside rushing linebacker. Could he even morph into a tight end — an experiment SMU tried occasionally, mostly in practices?

Hunt first made his mark blocking kicks, swatting an NCAA-record 10 field goals over his career and blocking 17 kicks overall, tied for second all-time.

“He’s as tall as a friggin’ tree when he stands up,” former SMU teammate Taylor Thompson once said, explaining Hunt’s knack for blocks.

Hunt came on as a pass-rushing brute, making a combined five sacks in SMU’s last two bowl games, winning the trophy for most outstanding player in the 2012 Hawaii Bowl. He eventually gave up throwing the discus to focus on an NFL future.

“They ask me, ‘What can you improve on?’” Hunt said of his NFL interviews. “I can get a lot better. That’s what I’m trying to explain to them as well. There’s tremendous growth still to be had. It’s just a matter of getting the work in.”

NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said several NFL teams tend to agree, even if Hunt has “over-aged a little bit.”

“But because of his height, weight, speed and upside, a lot of teams are really intrigued,” Mayock said. “This is an explosive kid that can play a couple different positions. … You look at the age and some teams say that’s not a negative, we’re going to get a more mature kid that’s ready to come in and work.”

Hunt last week went through what industry types call the ESPN “car wash,” doing a slew of interviews in Bristol, Conn. He said he gets the same ol’ questions about his unusual tale, well-known by now to SMU fans and SportsDayDFW.com readers who voted him the winner of the Best D-FW Athlete last summer.

The elite thrower had come SMU to work privately with throwing guru Dave Wollman, with his eyes on the Olympics. He eventually tried out for football coach June Jones to earn a scholarship after his weight room feats gained notice. Hunt’s football experience had been limited to Madden NFL.

Along the way, Hunt, a guy who’d always competed for himself, surprised himself by enjoying a team. He also learned the piano as part of a class he took at SMU — going through spring practice a year ago concerned about jamming his fingers before a recital.

Hunt’s mother, Eda, and sister, Kairi, will travel to Dallas from Estonia this week to be with Hunt for the draft.

Hunt said he’s been fielding calls from the Estonian media.

“They’re really proud,” he said.

And the next phase of Hunt’s completely true tall tale is just beginning.

“When they [NFL scouts] look at him, they see that he’s a really good football player right now,” Jones said. “The things that he’s inefficient on, he’s going to improve because that’s all he’s going to be doing. He’s not going to mess with school, he’s not going to be playing the piano, he’s going to be rushing the passer. He’s a smart kid, and he’ll figure that out.”

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